a class full of pit bulls

a class full of pit bulls

 

 

eloquent but slovenly

red-tie bouquet,

misfit misnomer,

the life of the party barks

the pack listens intently

shakes paws with their god

 

life is good,

for some who don't know it isn't

and bad for those whose sniffed dreams

are snuffed out

 

the party biscuits are served

crunching teeth gnaw at the truth

the dog ate my homework

and i am totally unprepared to be schooled

 

so i wait out on the porch

hearing the hum of voices

ones who came from individuals once

now just part of cur few

who growl in majestic proportions

to their own ears.

 

 

erin-cilberto

2/16/18

Reviews

[Neville]

I am acutely conscious of the fact these great words of yours are open to various interpretations, since having considered them now so many times back on back and also over several visits, I am amazed at how my perception changes.

I am aware that you have or do still lecture/teach, (I prefer teach as it conjures up a much more facilitative and encouraging image than the term lecture. I can't imagine how hard it must be and stressful trying to teach a bunch of folk who for whatever reason are not interested in learning. Under such circumstances, the analogy or juxtapositioning of/with pit bulls is very apt indeed......Admiration & respect.........N

[jacob erin-cilberto]

actually i don't do more than some informal lecture, my classes are mostly participation...
i would bore them to death, and me as well, if all i did was lecture...i believe in active participation...
i really appreciate your words Neville...i like the various interps of this...using the teaching idea merely as metaphor...ain't poetry grand?

j.

[Neville]

Sounds good to me, my pleasure and yes it is my friend...........Neville

[Bacchus]

Uncultured jaws, designed to devour.
Maybe this fight needs some pure bred power.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

maybe so, Bacchus, maybe so.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

what great word play and now twice removed from the world of youth this poem seems to hold extra weight :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Cherrie.
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

"now just part of cur few" i like this turn and word play ...leads to release of tension in the closing ... this is the dangerous side of the dog ...deadly in every way ...not prone to civilized behavior ... often misunderstood ;)
E.
ps. not sure its safe on the porch either ... there are drive by dogs prowling ;O

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, probably not safe there, either.

thank you, E.
love your insights.
j.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

The sophistication within this metaphor is astounding and still relatable. Bravo!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your kind words, Travis.
j.

[R.E. Ray]

J., an insightful and truthful work. I do wonder what's worse. The pack leader or the followers, so desperate, even if not conscious about it, to absolve themselves of all responsibility. For it's so easy to call out the fallen lead dog when all the follower has done is smell the lead dog's butt during the race.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your insightful words, Robert.
j.

[h d e rushin]

I see the parallel with this forum of students trying to pry the truth out of politicians. Or at least to get those in charge to listen long enough or at least until the rage quiets down. It must be hell being a teacher these days. The president thinks you should carry a gun. ??? long gone are the days when I carried by sharpened pencils, lead up, in my fist and placed them according to length on my table top. Long gone is that simplicity. So many kids come to school hungry, some that have slept in cars, others without a change of clothes.....The trouble with learning is way more than ABC's///dana

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, long gone is simplicity...thanks for your response, yes, i was thinking political...appreciate your words, dana.

j.

[Alfred Kukitz]

a theme of “herd thinking” pushing the creative imagination out of the picture. “sit fido” i have a treat for you!

regards,
al

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for your words, Al.
j.

[andrew mitchell]

Must be hard being a teacher these days for discipline is of a more gentle nature that never penetrates those with hard shells.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and then there are those who follow leaders blindly...regardless of the things they do.
thank you, andrew.
j.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

That sounds like the life of a high school teacher. Hell I use to be one of those barking dogs.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you, Dale.
j.